Michelle's 2005 RX8 "All Stock Systems Work Swap"

[Tomo]

Fair enough on her preferences. But all things considered I can't imagine it's all that much work for the right pedal set. The stock pedals will bolt right up, and the firewall holes would still exist.

Not to mention, if it comes to simplifying things on the electronics side, whatever engine ECU can be isolated to controlling the motor, where-as with automatic it would then either need to control the trans or a seperate computer would do so.

[mobythevan]

Yeah, running a 4L60E will require a computer and that is probably just as much complication as adding the clutch system.  At this point I have to trial fit the 4G63.  If there is no way to fit it behind the stock electric steering rack, then that defeats the purpose of using the 4G63 in my mind.  If that is the case I will just go L33 with 4L60E. 

[the_horse_lady2000]

Conservative guestimate says the 4G63/4L60E combo will add about 80 lbs.  Also, 4L60E has the same overdrive ratio of .69 as the stock RX8 4AT.  It is no problemo to build the 4G63 to have an rpm range up to 7500 to match the renesis redline(auto version of the renesis).  I'm thinking this thing will rip with a high revving four banger and barely any weight added from the swap.  A small of amount of weight will move up from the swap and forward.     

I wouldn't personally aim for the high-revving peaky power that you would get from the Renesis. The 4G63 will bring a lot more torque with it, aim for that. =)   Also, no consideration for the wifey to drive manual??

I don't mind a manual, but I prefer an automatic.  So many times pulling a trailer in traffic or up the mountains with a manual, took the fun out of it for me.  And I will not be hot rodding it enough for the power drop to matter with an automatic.  I do like the manual shifting on the steering wheel of this car--some fun with the option to go full automatic if needed. 

[the_horse_lady2000]

So, on a completely non car related topic, I had Bryan snap a photo of me on Rich yesterday next to my RX8.  We have 8 horses, 7 of which are draft horses.  Rich is a Shire.  I thought this new avatar might help folks see why I am the_horse_lady, and it just shows off two of my toys  in the same photo

[mobythevan]

Yes, this swap is still waffling in the engine selection stage.  It is a good thing that this car has not died yet.  This has given me time to research engine options a little better and not just go with the 4G63 because I know it.  The 4G63 being a pretty old engine and iron block.  After much better research I like the Ecotec 2.4 LE5 with VVT as my number one choice, and turbo(first year of this engine is 2006).  I will keep an eye out for a deal on the LSJ ecotec, but if that doesn't happen by the time the rotary pops, then 2.4 LE5s are everywhere and cheap.  I would like to play with VVT in megasquirt.  The cheap availability of the LE5, the transmission options, aftermarket support, light weight and power support has won me over.  It usually takes me a while to catch up with Blake on my research and understand why he recommends certain engines.

I did research the high feature LLT V6, but I don't see one of those landing in my lap.  If it happened, I would love to do that swap.   

[digitalsolo]

Those LLTs are annoying for timing chain wear, but not really a big deal in a fun car.

[mobythevan]

I think I would like to use HPtuners for the ecotec 2.4 with VVT.  I would like to stay with the factory ecu so that this car will start and idle well.  Reading on the HPtuners website is a little confusing to me.  Do I need to be careful which exact car model my 2.4 engine comes from to make sure HPtuners supports it?  That is what I gather from looking at their supported car list.  To me a 2.4 LE5 is a 2.4, all the same.  To HPtuners it looks like they may only support some of them.  Any advice?

Pricewise I can purchase an MS3 unassembled plus an LC1 wideband plus a generic harness for the price of HPtuners ($650).  Now I love all the stuff I can do with MS3, but I cannot control the electronic throttle body with it so I would have to swap throttle bodies.  It is also hard to get the startup and warmup shit tuned as we all know.  I don't know if MS3 really supports control of the VVT.  Just because MS3 has a feature in it does not mean the feature really works yet.  I have been very happy with it on the LM7 engine, but the tech is older on that engine.

[digitalsolo]

::cough:: ProEFI ::cough::

I'm not sure on the reluctor rings, but you should be able to mix/match ECU/engine combo without much fuss to get an ECU that is supported by HP Tuners.

[mobythevan]

OK, I'm not going to ignore your advice.  Give me some time to research ProEFI in regards to the 2.4 LE5 engine.  Thanks Blake, I tend to get narrow minded and forget all of my options.

[digitalsolo]

OK, I'm not going to ignore your advice.  Give me some time to research ProEFI in regards to the 2.4 LE5 engine.  Thanks Blake, I tend to get narrow minded and forget all of my options.

It's pricey, but it can do ANYTHING you want.  Not crazy pricey if you do your own harness, either.

As long as the engine has a cam and crank sensor, it can run it.   DBW is CAKE (give it motor + 1 or 2 channels of TPS and 2 channels of DBW TPS).   They may need to make a firmware for your engine combination (cam and crank teeth), but beyond that I can't believe it'd have any issues running it.

Holley might be able to as well, not sure what their options are like with regard to cam/crank sensors.

[mobythevan]

I'm trying to finish off this rotary.  Put 900 miles on the car this weekend.  Trip to Dodge City and a Trip to the first Colorado Drift event.  Unfortunately it is running great.  Will probably go another 40k miles because we want it to die. 

[jessethedrifter]

how about a boosted honda k-series? they worked wonders with those little things. new and reliable. i remember super street had an article about a guy that did one on his FD. they can handle copious amounts of boost and still get bitchin' gas mileage. plus................VTEC!

[Exidous]

Jesse, you have a v8 in an RX7 now. It's against forum rules to suggest Honduh. :-p



JK......it's not a bad option.

[mobythevan]

how about a boosted honda k-series?

My choice right now stands at turbo ecotec 2.4 LE5 with VVT.  I know this sounds very rotary, but after driving the car so much this last month it has become a high priority for me to retain the stock weight and handling.  I want to see if that is possible with the LE5 engine.  The car is so much fun to drive except for the rotary engine lack of power.  I'm not slighting any of the engines suggested.  The things I like about the ecotec are shared with a lot of the other engine choices.  One thing the ecotec has is over 4 million units produced in just the 2.4 liter version.  They are very cheap and easy to find.  Add in oil squirters, light weight, VVT, etc.  I do not plan to do any tuning of VVT, just use the factory settings.  I also like the idea of using this same engine for the swap in my rx8, yes we have two cars for swap  .  So, steering rack clearance.........??

I went back through the thread and compiled the suggestion for reference:
V8:
Aluminum 5.3 L33

V6:
GM High Feature V6 LLT

I6:

I4:
Honda S2000 F20C, F22
Honda K series
Ecotec (LSJ 2.0 supercharged, 2.2, 2.4 LE5 with VVT)
sr20det
4G63
1AR/2AR

[jessethedrifter]

Jesse, you have a v8 in an RX7 now. It's against forum rules to suggest Honduh. :-p

JK......it's not a bad option.

what's wrong with honda? let me sing you the song of the VTEC people 

http://youtu.be/Z7d_Yhi3cZ0

how about a boosted honda k-series?

high priority for me to retain the stock weight and handling.  I want to see if that is possible with the LE5 engine. The things I like about the ecotec are shared with a lot of the other engine choices.  One thing the ecotec has is over 4 million units produced in just the 2.4 liter version.  They are very cheap and easy to find.  Add in oil squirters, light weight, VVT, etc.  I do not plan to do any tuning of VVT, just use the factory settings.

i see. should be interesting. looking forward to seeing the progress